BRENDAN RODGERS insists Liverpool are more than mere "tourists" as they prepare to return to Champions League action and declared the club is back where it belongs.

Rodgers is confident his side will rise to the Champions League challenge [PA]

Liverpool host Bulgarian side PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in their first match in the competition since December 2009 with Rodgers eager for his players to make their mark on the continental stage.

Rodgers admitted ensuring Liverpool compete among Europe's elite on a regular basis again would be "remarkably difficult" due to the level of competition in the Premier League.

But he is confident his squad will rise to the challenge set out in Group B which also includes holders Real Madrid and FC Basle.

"Our excitement to again be playing Champions League football isn't a giddy excitement," said Rodgers.

"We are not tourists in this competition - we believe it is where we belong and where we should be playing.

"We are Liverpool, we are five times winners of the European Cup and we are synonymous with its best traditions.

"Our players are excited by the challenges ahead, not daunted by them."

Liverpool's five-year absence from the competition after losing a dead rubber at home to Fiorentina has seen wholesale changes, with Rodgers the fourth manager to lead the club since then.

His priority was to lead Liverpool back into Champions League, but he is aware of the difficulties posed in qualifying each season.

"It hits home as soon as you actually see yourself back in the Champions League how much it can actually be missed," he said.

"The club went through a great period for many years at that level and then to be out of it, you see the struggles it brings when you're not in it as well. It's difficult to get in it and it will be even harder to stay in it.

"Qualifying has brought greater resources to the club which allows us to add depth and strength and build something. But it doesn't make it any easier. It's still going to be remarkably difficult to get back in.

"That's the challenge and the beauty of being in the Premier League. You've got a fight on your hands to be up in it every year and that's something we are looking forward to doing."

Rodgers has named Jordan Henderson as his new vice-captain following the departure of Daniel Agger.